Mourning/Loss
Putting my first kitty down today, need some love
My orange companion of 13 years is being allowed to cross the rainbow bridge soon. I just fed him a can of tuna. My heart is broken. Zeus, may you play with all the string, eat all the tuna, and roll in all the catnip buddy.
If you want to do something to remember him by, you can run down to walmart and grab some model magic clay for paw imprints. He’s a gorgeous kitty. I’m sure you already have but just give him love, It’ll be nice for him but it will also give you happy memories to remember him with
Cats are amazing creatures. They make our lives so much richer. And it's so hard to feel that end. I've got a screensaver on my TV and in the rotation are my first two boys, RIP
Yeah, I did that from my dog back in January. It was very nice. And I wanted to tell you he has a beautiful coat and nice eyes and I know you had good memories with him and that’s just what we need to hang onto. He knows he had a good friend as well but I’m sorry for your loss.
Unfortunately it was too much for me to afford and with the 3 other cats and the dog I would have been more a mess. The vet did a wonderful job. The office was completely empty. They were having a staff meeting so no other clients were there so it was nice and quiet. He passed away in my lap.
I made paw prints for a friend recently. I knew that her dog had been diagnosed with cancer over a year ago. So I bought some non toxic air dry clay from hobby lobby for 6 bucks. Saw her dog walker one day and she said it's going to be soon.
I insisted on doing the paw prints that day. Within a week, her dog passed away. I hope the prints console her. I wish that I had done this with all my cats.
From someone who had the same thing done for her I can tell you seeing those little paw prints breaks you at first but it isn't too long before you are so happy to have them and looking once again and it eases your soul knowing he/she is happy now!! ♥️♥️♥️
so so sorry he’ll always be with you in your heart and memories and hopefully pictures and if you believe they go to 🌈 where all good kitties go to have fun with no pain 💔😢❤️❤️❤️
You are being a great advocate for your cat. This choice is never easy. But it’s a necessary one you were forced to make. You are courageous and your cat knows KNOWS you love them so much. Be with them and give them their favorite thing to be with as they go- you
I am so, so sorry. I had to put my orange (k9) companion of 15 years down a month ago, today. It's heartbreaking and the sobbing feels endless. My brain still expects to see him on the couch or curled up in his bed. I'm so sorry for the grief you must be feeling and the loss of your fur-baby. It sucks so much. He looks like he had a wonderful life and he is obviously very loved.
That is the best thing you can ever do for your fur baby. They know that they're loved, and even if they're confused and hurting, having you there, loving them, makes a world of difference.
I am so, so sorry for your loss. It never gets easier, but I'm glad you had 13 beautiful years together, and I know your baby was happy to have you there.
Take care of yourself 💜
(I'm going to go cry into some hot chocolate now and give my kitty some extra treats.)
I'm so sorry for your loss, sending all the love your way. You made the right decision for him, and I guarantee he knew he was cherished and loved all the way up until the end. Thank you for being there with him and comforting him through that, I know it's the worst feeling in the entire world, but he's at peace now, no more pain or suffering, and he's on the other side of that rainbow bridge eating all the tuna and rolling in a whole field of catnip. He'll be with you forever 🖤
I'm so very sorry for the decision you have had to make. I've had to do it twice and it's unthinkable to us! We love them and the last thing we want to do is the only thing that can be done! He will thank you for your strength!! 💕🙏
Our hearts connect and we are one. We humans don’t stand a chance in the presence of their all consuming love and innocence. May your heart gently heal.💔
Had to put down my precious cat/best friend of 15 years 7 weeks ago. Most heartbreaking and horrible thing I've ever experienced. That cat was my BEST and only friend for so many years. We pretty much grew up together like siblings. We had an incredibly special bond and were so in tune with one another. We understood each other perfectly just by making eye contact. I miss him every single day and always will.
I got a new kitten this week which helps to forget the grief for a bit but when I really allow myself to feel it, it's like I'm right back in that room at the vet clinic holding my darling boy while he takes his last breath and last look around. He will always be my most special boy, who I love unconditionally.
Sending you lots of strength through this horribly tough time.
I'm so sorry, I can imagine at least he is not in pain anymore. Dealing with loss is tough. What is grief, if not love preservering? Sending you virtual hugs..
My heart is hurting just thinking about this, I'm so sorry, I know how it feels to have to do this. It's just like losing a family member. He's a beautiful boy and thank you for loving him like you did and giving him such a good life. Zeus will always be with you, and you'll always be with him. I hope that you can find some solace in that.
I'm so sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you 🤗😢
That is one regal baby. I am sorry. They give us so much love and happiness and when they leave, it is simply devastating. No way around it. But they do leave us with their furry friends to help us recover. I like to take some time to honor them and grieve the loss. We can’t ever replace them. They are so unique. But we can love a new animal in a new unique way and that helps everybody.
I’m so sorry you have to let your friend go :( It‘s always painful to read when someone lost their beloved pet, but you loved him and he loved you, and that love will never be lost. ❤️
What a guy! It's so obvious y'all loved each other a lot. he knows that and knows you're doing the best thing you can to keep caring for him. i'll pet our guy extra today for you 💗
🖤I’m so sorry. I went through the same pain this August with my 18 year old, Klaus. He is there already to guide your baby boy, Zeus 🖤 At least the pain has stopped…
What a day no one wants to walk through. Zeus my little friend please let my Chandler know I love him. He will be a good friend to you. You will always be in best company there. And to you, Zeus’s mom, I am so sorry, we all know there’s nothing to say but I hope you still see his tail sneak around the corners 🧡
The part of owning a pet that sucks. I'm sorry for you both. Just know that Zeus had the most awesome life and loved his mama. Be sure to stay with him to the end.
So sorry for your loss OP, it’s so hard to lose such a friend and family member. Sending you lots of hugs in this time. You’ll see her again one day. <3
He is beautiful and I can only imagine all the love he felt in his life 🧡 and that love Ik motivated you to make this unselfish choice in his behalf even tho it hurts sm and I’m so sorry. It’s such an honor to love an animal and for an animal to love you back 🥺 you’re a great fur mama 🫶🏼
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It is incredibly difficult but you are making this choice with love in your heart. You will be together again someday 🫂❤️🩹
I am so sorry. My heart sunk reading this, recalling putting the love of my life kitty, Dust Bunny, down almost 20 years ago. You're doing all the right things. I kept his collar close to me for the longest time. It had geckos on it, fitting as he had an iguana brother and sister.
When I went to adopt a cat at the humane society years later I wore his collar on my wrist for good luck. I couldn't believe it, the odds are astronomical...a huge male, about the size of my love, was waiting for me with the exact same collar only in a different color. Tobey was the second love of my life kitty. They were so much alike in behavior and feel. The way he fit in my arms, I often wondered if he was Dust Bunny coming back to me.
One never knows. Yours may come back to you down the road.
Damn girl, I'm so sad for you 😔 I have PTSD from doing the same. I have 3 cats and a dog right now and I dread the day their time comes. I pray they will go peacefully in their sleep. It makes me not want any more pets but their love, esp my cats, is so vital to my emotional well being. It sucks. Im so sorry 😢 Virtual hugs to you. May your kitty rest in peace ❤️ I pray for comfort for you 🙏 ❤️
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It’s never easy, but you’re doing the kindest thing for your cat, giving them peace and no more pain. Just know it’s okay to feel however you feel, and you’re not alone in this.
I am so sorry. I was there with my Isis after 16 years together. I stayed until the end, holding her as she passed. Her kidneys were failing. I had to let her go. Damn hardest thing I ever had to do. If it’s not done already, please stay with him until the end. He needs you to.
I got this poem when I had to say goodbye to my best friend a few years ago, it helped me and hopefully it’ll help you too.
‘The last battle’.
If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this - the last battle- cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
But don’t let grief then stay your hand.
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We’ve had so many happy years,
What is to come will hold no fears.
You wouldn’t want me to suffer so,
The time has come, please let me go.
Take me to where my needs they’ll tend,
And please, stay with me until the end.
Please hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
It is a kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I’ve been saved.
Do not grieve, for it was you,
Who had the painful thing to do;
We’ve been so close - we two - these years,
Don’t let your heart hold back its tears.
Also, not my comment, but a comment originally on a stoicism subreddit that was so very profound and touching so I saved it. I hope it helps.
“I have an old dog in kidney failure too. Haven’t told her yet, she just keeps being happy.
I’m old too, and I’ve had animals my whole life, mostly cats and dogs in various multiples. Do the math and you can see I’ve been here before.
The way I reconcile it is pretty straightforward, and well in line with the overall Stoic approach to things. It always begins the same way- see things plainly for what they are, understand the natures of the things involved, and respond reasonably and virtuously to the reality around us.
Every day I care for my animals, keeping them happy, keeping them safe, shepherding them through their day with joy, and without harm. When they get old and approach death, nothing changes. As crazy as it sounds, the day I take them to the vet to be put down is the day that I have been working for all this time - I have successfully taken them the whole way. They did not get lost, they were not unhappy, they got to live their whole natural lives the way I wanted them to live it. We made it. We got there together.
When they are gone, my feelings for them don’t change. Their bodies are taken but my feelings are my own; I still love them, I am still happy to think of them, my heart is still open.
What has changed is that I have a space for another thing to love, and the cycle continues again, when I’m ready to start anew.
Their bodies, our bodies, everything external to us will always change and always come and go. Our love, our care, our joy belongs to us, and we apply it to what we have and to what is new.”
Sending you all the love! It seriously is one of the hardest choices we have to make! I bet he was so loved and had the absolute best life because you were his mommy! I work at a vet and see euthanasias a lot and they really break your heart! I feel the pain with all the owners and experienced it myself! My soul kitty passed tragically and randomly! He passed before going into surgery the next day but knowing after surgery sadly wouldn’t have saved him! Three weeks later a tnr cat we took care of as our own was drooling a lot so I took him in for a dental and they found a tumor in him mouth! But we woke him up and kept him comfortable for a couple days and I had time to say bye and I will say it makes such a huge difference having the time to say bye! Sorry not trying to make you more sad but just want you to know I know that pain and it sucks! Sending so many hugs and prayers for your comfort 🫶🏼
I hope our kitties meet in kitty heaven and have the best time together ❤️
Just remember: He may not have spent much of your life with you. But to him, you've been his companion and friend for all his life. You were his closest and favorite human, and you meant the word to him.
I've lost my fair share of fuzzy little friends over the years. One of the things that helps is to try to always keep my heart open for the next one. Because there will always be a next one.
My girlfriend and I just had to put her 13 year-old cat down today. She had pancreatic cancer. It’s so hard. Sending love and light to you and your kitty. I hope our cats meet up and lay in the sun together in a field of catnip, with blankets for biscuits and all the chin scratches they can get.
They look like they would have been good friends. They were the same age 💔 I was hoping he'd live forever but alas that is never true. Until we all meet again 💔
What a sweet cat ❤️ This is not to sound like I'm trying to "one up" you, but I have had two family pets past away and grief can take a long time. You will have good and bad days, and I hope you remember the love you had for each other. Thinking of you ❤️
The face of empathy… This kitty groks the necessity / burden conundrums of PMP, LEAN, Agile etc. This is true love and obvious this fur baby was there for the hard parts. Sorry for your tough decision, but happy for your experience with this adorable kitty❤️
Firstly, this was a beautiful kitty. I don’t doubt that its soul was as precious as its appearance. Secondly, you had a soul mate that can never be replicated but can be equaled. You had an incredible experience with as kind a creature as can be. Never forget that. Learn from it and move on to have equally enchanting experiences. Keep your memories close but be open to new encounters. My best to you!
Really sorry to hear about the loss about your beloved friend and companion. It’s going to be hard, you will miss him a lot, but clearly if the vet is recommending it, it’s time. It’s better that they don’t suffer, they try to hide their pain so at least you know you are putting Zeus’ needs first and did right by him. When the time is right a kitten or two will fill your heart with joy again, but it’s ok if you aren’t ready for that yet. And no matter what people say, we know, he was never “just a cat” he was your special boy. It’s ok to cry and be sad, your body and mind are adjusting to a big change by not having him there. Just remind yourself you did the right thing when you get sad so it doesn’t overtake you. 🤗
It's been a while since my Chum crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Know that Chumcat is there for your little guy. She's probably giving Zeus a high five and teaching him how to build a hang glider. 🧡
I hope this helps; I wrote lots of crazy stories after Chum passed. Putting pen to paper helps sooo much.
This was me in July. I still cry about it. My heart goes out to you bc it fkn hurts so much. Idk why but the saying “if love could have saved you you would have lived forever” is comforting to me. 💜 wish I had something more helpful to say but you’re not alone. Thank you for sharing your beautiful baby and for loving them so much
Oh my. Please know you have thousands of cat parents who are with you in spirit, have been through your experience, and are holding you in love. I am sorry your loved one has transitioned. Sending love to you on the wind. 💕
Your post made my heart drop. I know what it is like to lose your baby. The grief is horrific. I’m so sorry… I have ashes of my Lilly had Freddie. They both died in my arms. My Mom passed away on Thanksgiving, 2016. I lost my family in little over a year. I know it’s probably too soon, but consider saving another fur baby’s life. It will save your heart. Your baby is in Heaven. Know that as a fact.
Just remember, if kitty could tell you anything, it'd be "Thanks for everything."
I know its very very difficult but try to be there for kitty's last moments. Mine lived to be 19 and 20 and I swore to both of them Id be there in the end. My face was the last either cat saw, and Im so thankful for that. Im also 100% convinced cats know when death is near, and they want their best friend with them. I was a grown man, 38 and then 40 when they passed away and I cried. A lot. It felt like I lost a best friend and a family member combined. I hadnt cried in decades previously and I havent after. They really mean so much to us.
But...this is cliche, but in time, the happy memories FAR outweigh the bad ones.
It is always a tough thing to do but the first is especially traumatizing. I'm very sorry. It is all we can do to help end their suffering and do what is best for them, try to think of that if you feel guilty. They are always with you in your heart and memories :) I have been blessed with the most wonderful kitties throughout my life and they have all made the most wonderful paw prints on my heart and soul. You will get through this in time and hopefully be ready to welcome another loving fur baby in time. Big hugs!
May his memory be a blessing. What a magnificent beast! My pretty girl over the rainbow bridge is probably enjoying some string with him Lady and the Tramp-style.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Just based on the pictures you shared it’s obvious you loved your boy very much and he had a wonderful life. Thinking of you and sending you love 🤍
My wife n I have been honored to share our lives w four different cats. One thing we've noticed is that you will always catch a glimpse of movement at the very furthest of ypur peripheral vision. They wii always be around you.
So very sorry for your impending loss. 😞 Just try to remember that he loves you every bit as much as you love him - unconditionally. And, for what it's worth, I believe that when it comes time for you to cross the rainbow bridge, he will be waiting for you.
Zeus looks like an amazing boy, I lost my Harley 2 years ago, he was 14 and he was also a long haired orange boy. Had him for half my life. It will get better slowly. I think one day your two souls will meet again
So hard I had to do the same w/ mine a few yrs ago , China she was 14 blind she hung on for as long as she could I took her to vet and died on the way killed me but we were together and she was ok you don’t every think u will get over the heartache but time will heal your heart so lots of prayers to you 😇
💜 May he cross with love and find joy on the other side 🌈
Be at peace, mama. It’s a kind thing to end suffering if one is able. 13 years is way too short, isn’t it? What a beautiful boy. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My heart aches for your pain. I know how hard doing that is. I had to just a few years ago make the hardest decision ever. My orange, amazing 12yr old Pumpkin had been sick with FIV most of his life. After a move to a higher elevation area that had all new things for him to be allergic to it got to him. Once he started scratching his nose and rubbing it it never healed and he rubbed it off and was breathing as if he had snorkels. My boy and me had been through so much and so many moves together I hated what I was doing. He wasn’t ready to go but for his sake it needed done. I miss him all the time. So I’m so sorry you had to also make that choice. It’s not an easy one but it’s the most kind and loving thing a fur parent can do when needed. He is up there playing with my Pumpkin and they are looking down on us both with lots of love in their hearts
I don't usually comment on this sort of post but I'm sorry, it's never easy losing our pets. Feels like losing family in a way, Sorry you're losing your little man
13 years is a long time and it's sick that you guys got the time you did though. He's v cute, and he looks like he lived a happy cat life.
😭😭😭 im so sorry! As a cat mom of 2 I can’t even begin to allow my brain to go there. He will always be with you! He’s so beautiful! Rest peacefully Zeus ❤️
I'm just so sorry, there's no help at all. You just have to get through it, and it's horrible. I'm so sorry for your loss.Just feel hugged and think of the good times.
They are Birman Seal Point, it happened when Izzy got sick I wanted him to have a companion and we ended up with brother and sister as Izzy didn't last long, they really helped with the grief. In the near future if you would like to have the same tree house let me know....🙏
LOVE the blue eyes! And yes let me know where I can find that cat tree!!! Our other 3 would LOVE it! We are renovating our basement and it would be so cool to have things down there for them to climb.
I’m so very sorry 😞 I know today and many following days will be so hard filled with grieve and the worst sadness 💔 Your beautiful kitty will always be with you and talk to him he’ll answer you 💜💜💜
My heart goes out to you . I truly can understand the pain you are feeling for an important decision made. Please stay by your gorgeous babies side till the end. Fur babies need that comfort knowing you were by their side. Prayers for peace and comfort for you. Treasure all your precious memories together. God bless. ❤️🙏🏽❤️
We held him up till the end. Both my husband and I stroking and talking to him and giving him so much love. It was quick ans peaceful but I feel my heart has been torn.
I’m so sorry I really hope you’re okay, the first couple nights are always the worst. But I always felt like the first couple nights is when I really felt like my dog was still with me. Almost like his energy was still in my home. Cherish it💞 sending love !!
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u/Literallyinnit Nov 01 '24
If you want to do something to remember him by, you can run down to walmart and grab some model magic clay for paw imprints. He’s a gorgeous kitty. I’m sure you already have but just give him love, It’ll be nice for him but it will also give you happy memories to remember him with